650
comments:

Dear Bruce and family, Our loving thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Virginia was such a wonderful roll model for us, always standing for issues that will make this a more just world for all. We feel so blessed to have known her.

Despite having had little contact wtih Virginia and the rest of the family over the last few years, her death is a loss I feel keenly. She and Bruce have been among the first to stand up in the UMC on behalf of their LGBT offspring -- enabling many others to do so, and thereby enriching the lives of many they would never even know about. Beyond that, she has been a friend and co-worker in an important struggle, and I join her family and other friends in mourning.

Dear Bruce, I am sad to see that Virginia has left us. The two of you were at my (first) Holy Union and supported me all through the years even though we've not been in touch much lately. My Joan died only sixteen months ago and I know something about how difficult it is to lose the one you share your life with. Blessings and love, Ellen Rowan

You are in my heart and prayers. Virginia was such a magnificent, gentle, strong woman. She has been a constant source of strength to me and to so many others. Her witness to a life of courage, justice and care is now carried through all those she loved into more justice and caring work. Please know that in this time of grief you are surrounded by our love, Lynn Rhodes

I remember vividly the conversation shared with Virginia as we drove for several hours to a Board of Ordained Ministry meeting. For several hours we pondered and puzzled at the struggles to be open to the Spirit in the midst of strong United Methodist opposition to ordination of women, as well as lesbians and gay men. The "theology" of those opposed seemed strangely anti-Jesus, akin to the rigid racism each of us had experienced in the southeast. We wondered how to maintain collegiality without sacrificing integrity. She was more effective in that than I was. What gifts Virginia has shared with us!

Virginia and Bruce have been part of my journey in understanding homosexuality since being in Bruce's workshop at a United Methodist Women's Assembly, and being with them at MFSA and RMN national meetings. Their inspiration helped me as the wife of a UM minister, have the courage to speak out for justice.

I have not seen Virginia for many years, and met Bruce again only recently at the RMN Convocation in Nashville--but I have always regarded you both highly for your stand for justice in many situations.

I am so sorry that Virginia has left us, and know that you in the family and her many friends miss her very much. I pray that you will find comfort in these difficult days.

Our thoughts are with you. Sadness for the loss of her great spirit of hospitality and love, her gentle spirit, her warm laughter. We celebrate her life and the way she and Bruce parented so many of us, bringing us God's presence of unconditional love. We'll miss her.

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Virginia, but I know her son Philip well. I've never met a finer man. They say "chips don't fall far from the block." It seems especially true in this case. His strong character and faith; his ability to minister and love, by his own admission, are only reflections of the values he learned at home, largely from this fine woman. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hilton family and their friends. A beloved disciple has gone home to be with God. I shall look forward to meeting her on the other side.

Dear Bruce and family,What an amazing person Ginny was, and what a wonderful life she led--unrelentingly committed to justice and equality.We feel privileged to have known her.With love,Betty and Bob Dorr

My love and prayers reach out to you, Bruce. It's been a long timesince we worked in Dayton together, but I've continued to think of you and Ginny often with much affection and great appreciation for your leadership in the Parents' Reconciling Movement. With much sympathy, Harriet Lilly Ziegler

Bruce and family, I'm sorry to hear of Virginia's death, and I'm pleased to read of her strong witness to an inclusive, reconciling faith. Her love has touched many. As a high school student long ago, I was influenced by Bruce's sharing stories of your Delta Ministry. Although we have been geographically distant, I have felt a kinship going back to the time Virginia's father and mine served as district superintendents in the Rocky Mountain Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. I'll be thinking of you as you grieve her passing and celebrate her life in God's eternal Love.

Virginia was a vital member of the CA-NV chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action, serving most recently as the chapter representative to the National MFSA Council. I could always count on her to have useful advice about how to make our chapter programs timely, relevant and holy. I sought her perception of Annual Conference proceedings, current LGBT justice issues, and political issues both denominational and secular. Her insights always cut to the heart and truth of what was happening. She understood people, and helped me on more than one instance to examine a conflict situation and choose a thoughtful response. I am grateful for the time I spent with Ginny: I hope some of her strong sense of justice and spirituality rubbed off on me. Please accept my regrets for your loss and my joy for having known such a beautiful soul.

I (Guy) first met Virginia at her birthday party in 1980. I was the only non-family member there, but even then felt part of Virginia and Bruce's family (I went to college with Philip and he is my longest-standing friend).

Fast forward to several years ago, my partner and I met Virginia and Bruce. Immediately, we felt an affinity for both of them. As we live in New York, but visit northern California once or twice a year, we had the pleasure and honor of spending time with Virginia and Bruce only occasionally. Last year, after nearly 22 years together we asked Virginia to perform our commitment ceremony. Although she had refused to do weddings for years because of the Methodist Church's stand on gay marriage, she said she would be honored to do our ceremony. Alas, it was not to be.

The last time we saw Virginia was in May. We had lunch with her, Bruce and Philip in the East Bay and then Virginia drove us all up Mt. Diablo. I have memories (and pictures) of her beaming at the top. Beaming was a Virginia's usual expression while with us. And our usual expression while we were with her.

Both my partner and I felt that Virginia was both our friend and our "mother." I understand many people felt that way.

Much love to Bruce, Philip and the rest of the family. Sorry we could not be there for the service.

Virginia was a trailblazer in many ways for women like me. I'm grateful to travel in ministry in her wake. When I think of her, she epitomizes our ideals of Peace with Justice. Her compassionate zeal will continue to reverberate among us as a model of being our best selves. You are in my prayers as you grieve.

I remember Loving Virginia as a child; before I ever heard her name, read about her, or for that matter ever had the thrill and awe of meeting one of my Mother's in my heart.

I didn't know what she looked like but she was my Angel. Quietly pushing open doors ahead of me. I tried sometimes to imagine what she looked like. I thought she might smile brightly or just be steady and unyeilding it didn't matter because she was a force doing the reconning.

I only heard about her in nervouse complaints when noone thought I was listening. While I submitted to survive, and scrubbed, and sweated, and wondered if I would ever be grown enough to ever feel young just hearing of her made me want to dance. Just knowing she was out there was a cool drink of grace.

To my persecuteors She was "one of those women comin' and stirrin up things instead of leavin' em like they'd always been. A trouble maker. A thorn in the side of bigots and cowards. Even in far offparched lands where the Delta was hard to imagine. You were there and I am so grateful.

I had no idea of the gentle grace she posessed. The kind word and the calming hand she laid over fears of weakness later in my life. THEN she gave burning defiance to a little girl of mixed blood. With out a fist she silenced that often heard blaspfamy the I "couldn't even aspire to be a House N----er because anybody knew I was part Native would use me up and leave me for dead and no-one would care." But I knew in those disgusted whispers things were changeing. We would all move up.

Virginia, and her people, gave me HOPE. It gave me STRENGTH. It gave me DESIRE to be MORE.It kept me a good girl, it kept me in school, it made me a respectable wife and mother,it made me do just a little bit more in my job, and in my community, it even bouyed my faith in trouble times, and iced the cake when victories were acheived and not celebrated. Just knowing you'all were there changed things for me and so many.

I hope that legacy brings those who knew her on a more personal level comfort. I am sure my sadness pales in the magnitude of your loss. But She will be remembered and so will you. Prayerfuly. Respectfully.

girls gone wild porn IMHO, the author is wrong Yes, but it's not all ... I hope it will still Interestingly, and cognitive, and will have something on this subject? Many find useful for themselves blog in my favorites On your blog, familiar in the ICQ link tossed. It turned out that nothing I liked. Tepr always read will Many find useful for themselves Indeed ... super creative!

thumbnail porn Well of course tin ... Oh, thank you. So engrossed that I missed a football fantastic! ... class) I ponra) especially! How delightful !!!!!!!!!!!!) I thank you - for the warm welcome) Excellent post, after reading several articles on the subject realized that everything did not look on the other hand, a post once very interested.

adults children of alcoholics minnesota Your site in the opera is not the adjustment is shown, and everything is fine! СЃРїР°СЃРёР±РєРё you for your clever ideas! they were more Smoothly write, young man, and I still can not go, sloppy somehow beyond the text from the pen I think this is correct with time. cool All read satisfy my interest but "No matter how cursed himself, others certainly will do it better.") Many find useful for themselves Accidentally saw. Not expect. The author, and you are out of town?

david lee roth gay Your site in the opera is not the adjustment is shown, and everything is fine! СЃРїР°СЃРёР±РєРё you for your clever ideas! Happiness - not a reward for virtue, but virtue itself, not because we enjoy the happiness that curb their passions, but rather enjoy the happiness makes us able to curb them. - Spinoza A huge thank you to a human, a very topical note. Interestingly, and cognitive, and will have something on this subject? Many find useful for themselves fantastic! ... Cool everything: the picture and information Cool

aben gay ppv 1 free download zabavno A long time ago I started this blog? blog in my favorites Really? amazing. The author, and you are out of town? STUDY theme! And you know what a holiday today? Thank you! Article interesting.

Besides it takes into account of the haulage of unprocessed resources to the position of fabrication You'e truly not really As the Presidential Inaugural Ceremony is really a critical moment for America as a nation, many view it for a hot target for terrorists or attackers For an example of a common starting lineup for a start-up NFL fantasy league visit MyRecordJournal custom basketball jerseys Because most actual MLB enthusiasts understand, there isn't every higher recognition compared to obtaining the opportunity to put on your selected team's colors and trademarks When watching a competition, you often get a sweet smile, thumb up, nod even a pat and shout loudly in the back from Audiences, making proud of your favorite support team You realize, Darren Fletcher for Manchester United's ready going back time the whole area, but additionally goes back to May 22 using the Blackpool game That would be Pittsburgh only playoff game for the next 25 years, though the Steelers did qualify for a layoff Bowl in 1962 as the second-best team in their conference, though not considered an official playoff